A crowd of more than 100 turned out Friday morning to hear a lively and sometimes intense debate between the two candidates for Oak Park village president. Anan Abu-Taleb, a local restaurateur and an independent candidate, faced off against John Hedges, a current village trustee and the candidate of the Village Manager Association (VMA).

The managing director and president of the board of the Madison Street Theatre – the old Village Players on Madison Street -- stopped by the Journal Thursday morning to trumpet their path forward now that Circle Theatre, their main tenant the past year or two, has decamped for a nomadic life producing shows at various venues in the city.

It was an encouraging and inspiring evening for students from Oak Park and River Forest High School Tuesday as the Community Foundation presented two of three awards for "philanthropic excellence" to high school aligned groups of students.

Who'd have guessed that the late, great River Forester, Paul Harvey, would be the hit of this year's Super Bowl ads? A couple of years ago, it was Oak Park native (and nonagenarian) Betty White in the year's big commercial (playing football, no less) so Harvey is continuing our strong local connection.

It's been a tough time for green ash lovers, since the arrival of the emerald ash borer. The village has been taking ash trees down by the dozen because all are doomed by this voracious, invasive predator.

Davis suggested — very cautiously as it was just an idea —about whether a top structure could be built on the school's parking garage that could house both D97 and Park District administrative offices.